Threat Halts Homecoming Festivities

November 02, 1999|By PATTI ROSENBERG Daily Press

JAMES CITY — A bomb threat interrupted Jamestown High School's homecoming dance Saturday night and led to it being cancelled soon after it started. But the festivities have been rescheduled for Sunday, school officials said.

Someone called the Williamsburg Fire Department a few minutes before 9 p.m. and stated that there was a bomb at the high school, James City police said. The school was evacuated while police and firefighters searched, with the help of a dog borrowed from the York County Sheriff's Office, said Maj. Ken Middlebrook. Nothing was found.

Assistant Principal Anne Annala said students made the best of the situation.

The school's transportation department was called to provide buses so students wouldn't have to wait outside, she said. When word came that the rest of the dance was cancelled, one busload of students called their parents for permission to go bowling instead - and off they went in their formal wear, Annala said. She said other students headed to local restaurants for a late dinner or went to play putt- putt.

The Jamestown Student Council Association has re- opened ticket sales for students who might not have been able to attend this past Saturday but want to attend Sunday. Students who had tickets for the dance last weekend but who can't attend Sunday can use their tickets for the Snow Ball Dance in December.

Annala said parents are determined to see that the kids have the best dance Sunday that they can remember. Parents who would like to help with decorating and getting food and beverages are urged to call Valerie DiPaola or Susan Catlett at 259- 3600.

Patti Rosenberg can be reached at 229-5751 or by e-mail at prosenberg@dailypress.com